Uda Lakshapana Gala / Saptha Kanya / Seven Virgins (1569m) hike

Year and Month	2018 September 15th and 16th
Number of Days	Two
Crew	04- Three Shans (Ashan, Keshan, Niroshan) and Chamara
Accommodation	Camping at 4th peak
Transport	By Jeep, three wheeler and hike
Activities	Hiking, Camping and Photography
Weather	Intermittent gloomy but fairly good
Route	Colombo -> Awissawella->Ginigathhena->Norton bridge->4th mile post at Maskeliya-Norton road->Polpitiya-Hangarapitiya road -> Uda Laksahapana Gala Hike->Descend to Rose farm->4th mile post->Back along same route
Tips, Notes and Special remark	It needs permission from wild life authority of peak wilderness. Verbal permission might be enough. But nobody of wild life department roam around here. Though we informed Norton Police before the hike, acting police head said there is no need of permission. Be alert on weather. It might be difficult in rainy days. If you have done home work well no need a guide. (There are some guides at Kiriwan Eliya- කිරිවන් එළිය). And well paved foot path is up to 6th peak. Leech protection methods to be followed. We found only one water source which was situated just before the last ascend of 2nd peak. Small water stream just flowing over slab rock, can fill water bottles. But It may be not there in extremely dry condition. Therefore carry enough water according to your requirements. There are camping sites at 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th peaks. Camp site on 5th peak is the best one situated on slab rock and having a good view. All other camp sites are covered by trees. Beware of wild elephants. We have seen elephant dung along the foot path. But it is hard to think their visit on top of the mountain in dry season as no water sources there. But these Bamboo is a favorite food of elephants. And can you remember the missing of a group of people in Saptha Kanya range published in media. Their intension was to visit these ”Kuru Elephants”- කුරු අලි. Basics of Seven Virgin hike are this: You have to start from first peak. There is a moderate strenuous hike to first peak with well paved foot path. From here onwards it has ascends and descends from peak to peak and foot path is clear till 6th peak. Seventh peak is situated on side of 6th and you need a separate journey (no clear path and difficult to think in a misty day unless you know where is seventh peak) to it. Then have to come back to 6th and descend. There is a foot pathway from 6th peak to go down. But I think we have missed the clear pathway after some extent. The path we followed was not clear but someone has made cut marks over trees. This foot path will join to the water stream and then follow the stream on it’s left side till abounded Enasal estate. Here onwards there is a pathway up to Rose farm. Rose Farm is the end of the journey. Having a KMZ file is an advantage. But google maps and your travel sense is better enough. Better wear an attire and eye protection due to dry bamboo sticks. Please keep the environment clean. Virgins are still clean. Special thanks to Thanuj Samarasekara, Mr. Rohana Nishantha (Electricity board at Norton Bridge), who gave enough information for this hike. I have to appreciate the help given by Sanjaya Raj who met in the journey in identifying 7th peak. Thanks for your helping hand.
Related Resources	Lakdasun Trip reports on Saptha Kanya Hike
Author	Niroshan
Comments	Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread Uda Laksahapana Gala / Saptha Kanya / Seven Virgins (1569m) hike

Uda Lakshapana Gala (උඩ ලක්ෂපාන ගල) is a mountain range with seven peaks situated at border of peak wildness sanctuary in between Uda Maliboda and Lakshapana. You might have seen this range if you have been at Lakshapana waterfalls and Sri Pada via Norton Bridge. Though 1:50000 map mention it as Uda Lakshapana Gala, it’s classic name is “Saptha Kanya” (සප්ත කන්යා) / Seven virgins. Don’t know the exact reason for this name for Uda Lakshapana Gala, but a villager said it’s appearance of a girl causing the name-Seven Virgins.

Seven Virgins / Uda Lakshapana Gala in Google map. Peak-1 is marked. First peak is about 1040m in height compared to highest point is 1569m. Click image to enlarge.

Seven Virgins / Uda Lakshapana Gala in metric map. Note it is the border of Nuwera Eliya and Kegalle Districts. Highest point is marked here as 1569m.6th peak is the highest one.

Uda Lakshapana Gala /Saptha Kanya (arrow) is seen from Kotagala

Last four peaks of Uda Lakshapana Gala-Photo was taken on my way to Watawala Kanda

When I visited at Lakshapana Falls in 2016

This mountain range has a historical value due to Indonesian plane crash happened on 04th December 1974.Martinair Flight 138 was flying from Surabaya, Indonesia to Colombo Sri Lanka carrying 191 people. 182 out of them were Indonesian Hajj Pilgrims. This plane crashed with the second peak of Uda Lakshapana Gala just before land it. All 191 dead on the spot due to plane crash.

There were nine Dutch crew members. A tire of the air craft is displayed at Norton Bridge town to remember them.

Names of Dutch crew.

It seems a strenuous hike before this year evidenced by Lakdasun reports and threads. But a trend was set among travelers at the beginning of this year. Then clear path was made. Though it was in my “To do list”, waited for few months till trend settle off.

Weather is the main obstacle, should be alert in this hike. Because this area gets rain easily (Now Uda Maliboda said to have the highest rainfall in SL) and misty cap over peaks is a common finding in most of days. We were updating about weather over a week.
It needs at least verbal permission from wild life officers at Nallathanniya (නල්ලතන්නිය). After setting these basic stuff we started the journey on Saturday morning. Keshan and Myself joined with Ashan and Chamara at Awissawella. We have stopped at Ginigathhena for the breakfast. Seven peaks were clearly seen with sacred hill at Ginigathhena.

View of Saptha Kanya at Ginigathhena. Sri Pada is standing behind it.

Counting of peaks. This was taken at 4th mile post. Usually peaks are counted from right hand side when you stand front of it. Plane crashed with 3rd peak.

Counting of peaks. Third to seventh. Usual plan is starting from first peak and descend from 6th peak. There is a small gap between 7th and 6th peak where you have to first visit seventh and then come back to 6th for return journey.6th is supposed to be the highest.

Peaks with Misty cap…

Capturing the target…

Lakshapana water fall

This was taken on our way to 4th mile post. The tea estate around the hills belongs Seven Hills plantation.

Bulathwatta tea factory

Trail head started some distance from 4th mile post. Therefore we had to park our vehicle at 4th mile post (road is under construction) and get a three wheeler up to the starting point. Three wheel driver was knowledgeable about the area. The foot path started with a bend of the estate road and passed through the tea estate. It was around 10am at the start. We filled our water bottles at last house of the foot pathway and got directions from them. Actually this was not the proper path to the first peak, we cut the distance a bit with quick ascend to join with the proper path. Well paved proper foot path brought us to the first peak following strenuous hike. There were bamboo trees at upper section of the peak and elephant dung was also noted. First peak of Seven Virgins was almost shady except it’s minor view point.

Chamara is looking at first peak.

First peak of Saptha Kanya / Seven Virgins Hills

We started the journey. Armed with camping stuff.

Reached the proper foot path.

Getting a rest.

Elephant dung….

Smiley face during the hike

Forest with Bamboo trees

Warmed up with first ascend…

Chamara’s favorite…

Reached the first peak

On top of first peak of Seven Virgin Hills. (1040m).

We are at 1st peak of Seven Virgin Hills.

View of second peak from 1st peak

Watawala Kanda-with tower and Rilagala-beyond it.

Line houses

After the view point of first peak it was a descend and then ascend to reach the second peak. Foot pathway was clear and Second peak had multiple view points. Just before one of these view point we found the water source which is a small water stream drooling over slab rock. But it was good enough to refill our empty bottles.

පාසි

Macro…

Clear foot path to second peak…

Wana Raja/ වන රාජ

Reaching the second peak…

Filling water bottles

As surrounding was clear, we were able to identify nearby mountains and landmarks. It includes 1st peak, Wewalthalawa etc. Highest point of second peak had a man-made camp site with forest covering. As we had enough time to move forward, we didn’t camp there.

Nearby unknown peak

Surrounding view…Halwathura Oya valley

First peak

Zoomed view of first peak

Valley

Wewalthalawa with towers

Second peak has multiple view points

Red and green

On four wheels

Bunch of flowers

Camp site of second peak….

Team at second peak

We are at second peak

There was another small view point just before the descend of second peak. Third peak was situated at almost same level of second peak. Therefore we don’t have much ascend or descend between second and third peak. Third peak doesn’t have a view point and we moved forward to reach fourth peak. Later we were heard there is a Buddha statue placed on third peak to remember the plane crash, but we didn’t notice it. It was around 4.30pm when we reached 4th peak.
After having lengthy discussion, we have decided to camp at 4th peak.

View point just before the descend of second peak

Foot path at the edge

We are at 3rd peak

View through trees

View of Bambaragala. This mountain is called as Bambaragala by Uda Maliboda people. This is well seen in Eli Hatha hike.

This was taken in between second and 3rd peaks.

Heading to 4th peak

Last ascend to fourth peak

Fourth peak and our camp site
Once we reached 4th peak mist has covered surrounding. Though we had enough time to go to 5th peak, we avoided it as there was another group at 5th peak. We camped at fourth peak under trees. This place was well enough to pitch one tent with very little disturbances of wind. There were ample of dry bamboo to make a fire. It was easy to make the fire at camp site and we prepared our dinner. Night was not cold as we expected. Our plan was to reach the 5th peak in early morning to view the sun rise.

Place is enough to pitch one tent

Our accommodation

Team with the tent

Misty

Camp fire

Credit of making Bone fire goes to Keshan

Warming…

Day 02
We woke up early morning and packed our stuff after “tent (bed) tea”. Though we expected to have a good sun rise, mist was remained with little drizzling. There were few places of confusion of foot path till 5th peak. It was usual descend and ascend to 5th peak. We met other group who hiked before us yesterday.
This is the ideal place for camping on Uda Lakshapana Gala. A slab rock was there with good view point towards surrounding. As surrounding was gloomy and wet, we started to have breakfast.

It is bit strenuous hike to 5th peak

5th peak with typical “Gala”

Nothing to do other than enjoying the mist….

Group picture in mist…

Within an hour it started to clear. We were delighted as all were in frustrated mood due to mist. It was the time to snap hundreds of photos. As a summary, surrounding structures we seen in the journey are: Sri Pada with Uda Maluwa, Piduruthalawa (පිදුරුතලාව), Maha Piduruthalawa (මහ පිදුරුතලාව), Uda Maliboda area, Kelani River, top of Lakshapana Fall, Watawala Range, Carolina estate hills (abounded tea estate), Rilagala (රිලාගල), Kabaragala (couldn’t get a clear pic), Ambuluwawa (couldn’t get a clear pic), Kotagala, Dell, Halwathura Oya Valley, Bambaragala and unknown peaks at Kithulgala etc. Ashan was fluent in identifying peaks in this area though others had poor knowledge.

First four peaks we passed.

Unkown peak. This might be marked at metric map.

Towards Lakshapana area

I was delighted

Reflection of sun rays

Towards Maliboda side

Fresh…

Towards Watawala Kanda (middle range) and Rilagala. (Right hand side peak)

Edge…

Chamara in action…

Group photo with clear surrounding view

Piduruthalawa and Maha Piduruthalawa

Another picture of Piduruthalawa and Maha Piduruthalawa

View of sacred peak

Zoomed view of Sri Pada

Bambaragala

Kotagala and Dell. Photo credit goes to Chamara.

Forest we passed

Where we parked our vehicle-white building at the center. Both Norton-Maskeliya road and Hangarapitiya road seen in the picture

Top of Lakshapana falls. Power station is also seen.

Engaged in various activities after snapping

This is the camp site of 5th peak with enough space to pitch 4/5 tents.

We are at 5th peak of Severn Virgin Hills.

We joined with new set of friends to hike rest of peaks. The foot path was almost clear with another descend and ascend to 6th peak. There was another view point on our way to 6th peak, but no view on 6th peak.

Heading to 6th peak

Sanjaya who met first time. He has been at Saptha Kanya thrice.

5th peak we passed

View point on our way to 6th peak

Clear foot path to 6th peak. He is not wearing sunglasses for fashion, it’s for protection of eyes.

It is bit difficult to find the place to descend to 7th peak once you reach 6th peak. Land mark is about 10m to left hand side before the Muddy pit on 6th peak. There is no clear path to 7th peak and it is fairly difficult section to go down. Then you have to follow the ridge to get on to 7th peak. It also doesn’t have clear view point except a window like place through bushes. As surrounding was misty we didn’t have any view.

We are on top of 6th peak

Getting down to 7th peak

Gap between 6th and 7th peaks

Orchid blossoms

Wild beauty

2+ 2+3=7

On top of seventh peak

Coming back from 7th peak. Other group has set the rope.

To descend you have to come back to 6th peak from 7th peak. We had some snacks on 6th peak and said good bye to Sanjaya and his team. It was almost a descend in return journey. Though we followed the foot path as much as possible, seems we have missed the clear one some extent. It was straightaway through the forest in last 100m till we reached the water stream. Then we followed the left bank of the water stream and three significant waterfalls were noted during the descend. Gradually we entered abounded Ensal estate and fairly big path (seems like estate road) was noted. We followed instructions to left hand side and then join with more clear foot path through tea estate. We were able to reach Rose Farm in about half an hour from Ensal estate. It was the end of our story of virgins.
On our way to Norton we had a bath from road side “Peela”. Still can remember the mouthwatering Kotthu had at Norton town at the end.